A species of mossy frog (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam discovered 158 new speciesduring 2021-2022, according to a report recently released by the World Wide Fund for Nature(WWF).
During theperiod, scientists foundout 380 new species of vascular plants and vertebrate animals in the Greater MekongSub-region, which includes Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
Specifically,there were 290 new species of plants, 19 of fish, 24 ofamphibians, 46 of reptiles, and one species of mammal.
Some ofthe newly discovered species in Vietnam are highly regarded by scientistsworldwide, including Cat Ba begonia (Begonia catbensis) found on the limestone hillsof Cat Ba National Park, frog species Quasipaa taoi on Ngoc Linh mountain - thehighest peak in central Vietnam, and Intermedius sunbeam snake in a localitywithin the central Truong Son region of Vietnam.
This areais considered part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, harbouring globallyiconic and endangered species such as tiger, Asian elephant, Sunda pangolin,and giant freshwater stingray. It is also a place where new species have been discoveredsince 1997, with a total of 3,390 species identified so far, including vascularplant, fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal.
The reportalso calls for urgent actions to reduce the risk of species extinction and endwildlife trafficking in Vietnam and the region.
🗹 To preventthe decline and extinction of species in Vietnam, the Biodiversity ConservationPartnership funded by the United States Agency for International Development(USAID) is promoting "rewilding" activities in national parks andnature reserves across the country. Through this initiative, it has conductedin-depth scientific analyses on certain animal species, particularly in Vietnam's Truong Son region, to gather necessary information for creatingviable breeding populations that can be reintroduced into the wild after 10-15years. The partnership plans to establish rescue centres with the necessaryconditions to care for priority species under captive conditions, particularlyin central Vietnam.
The WWF report (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn)
In the near future, the Ministry ofNatural Resources and Environment will work closely with relevant ministries,departments, localities, and organisations to fine-tune legal documents on natureconservation and biodiversity, and develop guidelines and directives on restoringnatural ecosystems to contribute to biodiversity conservation, disasterprevention, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development. Theministry will also continue enhancing the capacity of the State managementagencies and the contingent of officials responsible for nature conservationand biodiversity, while building and carrying out mechanisms for coordinationbetween State management agencies, political-social organisations, and developmentpartners in the field./.
Four new species of camellia (a genus of flowering plants in the family Theaceae) and Begonia (a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family of Begoniaceae) – have been found in Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park in Lam Dong province by a group of Vietnamese and international scientists and researchers.
As many as 91 new species were discovered in Vietnam in 2020, including 85 endemic species, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in its report issued on January 26.
Mariam Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, said the World Bank remains committed to working with the Vietnamese government to develop the next phase of climate resilience and transformation for the Mekong Delta.
Under the directive, the PM instructed relevant agencies to regularly inspect, supervise and proactively implement disaster prevention, response and rescue measures in line with their assigned roles and mandates, ensuring readiness, avoiding passivity or delays, and maintaining operational continuity amid ongoing political and administrative restructuring at levels.
According to Dr. Vu Anh Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Space Centre and head of the project, this is the first study in Vietnam to simultaneously employ Sentinel-2 satellite data, advanced machine learning algorithms, and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform to model and monitor key seawater quality parameters.
The Deposit Return System is seen as a potential instrument for effectively advancing Vietnam’s vision of a circular economy, as outlined in Article 142 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection.
The figures were highlighted in a Pre-Feasibility Study on a DRS tailored for single-use beverage packaging in Vietnam, conducted by Eunomia Research & Consulting.
Young people should not view AI as salvation but rather as a tool under human control. Young creators should focus on learning and accumulating practical knowledge, using AI as a tool to carry out artistic projects in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.
Saigon Hi-Tech Park’s ambitious 50% renewable energy goal far exceeds the city’s 15% target, positioning the park as a trailblazing “living lab” for sustainable energy solutions.
Vietnam's economic losses from natural disasters are estimated to account for 1 to 1.5% of GDP annually - a steep price that will continue to rise unless the country takes strong action.
Wutip, the first storm in the East Sea so far this year, has wreaked havoc across central Vietnam, claiming lives, displacing residents, and causing widespread damage to houses, crops, and infrastructure, the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control reported as of 6:30 pm on June 13.
The tremor occurred at 7:39:46 am (Hanoi time), with the epicentre located at latitude 14.924°N and longitude 108.236°E, at a depth of approximately 8.1 kilometres. The natural disaster risk level was classified as 0 – the lowest on the scale.
Addressing a session on “Accelerating Financing for Resilience: Tailored Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction,” Deputy Minister Hiep emphasised Vietnam's proposal in building sustainable financing in response to natural disasters, which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction's goals.
Vietnam has demonstrated its strong commitments by participating in global sustainable development forums, signing multiple free trade agreements, and attracting support from international partners for the implementation of the SDGs.
The fight against plastic pollution could not succeed through isolated efforts, but it must be a collective endeavour involving the entire political system, businesses, citizens, and the international community, said Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy.
Lang Son Global Geopark, with its outstanding geological values, cultural heritage, and unique natural landscapes, represents a valuable addition to UNESCO’s global geoparks system.
In 2019, Quang Ninh became one of the first localities in Vietnam to launch a province-wide campaign against plastic waste, mobilising the participation of the political system, the business sector, and the general public. Other localities—such as Hai Phong, Da Nang, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City—have also effectively implemented waste-sorting initiatives at source, along with models for plastic-free markets and urban areas.
This year’s World Oceans Day on June 8 is themed 'Wonderful Oceans: Sustaining What Sustains Us', while World Environment Day is on June 5 with the theme: 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.
According to Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment Le Huu Toan, a fire prevention and control plan has been in place since the dry season began, including round-the-clock patrols and rapid-response teams to snuff out fires before they could spread.
Renowned artists including Ha Anh Tuan, Den Vau, and Phan Manh Quynh, along with many directors and attendees, took part in planting hundreds of rare tree species such as mun (Diospyros mun) and cho chi (Parashorea chinensis) in the Thung Bong area of the Cuc Phuong National Park, contributing to forest ecosystem restoration.
A species of mossy frog (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn) 
The WWF report (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn) 
